Morris tribune., 1887-04-13
LANGUAGE OF LEGS.
WHAT THE VARIOUS PosTUREs AS
suMED IN PUBLIC INDICATE.

A Physiognomist Studies Human Nature
in Street Car-Curious Indications
of Disposition and Character-Move-
ments of tho Eyelids.
"Did you notice that old man who just
went past 2" asked O young doctor the
other day. "Well, he will sit with his
right leg crossing the left,'
s'Why, what do you mean ~
"Nothing much. Only that any OBJ
server can tell what leg q man will cross
nv the way he wears his clothing"
"You don't mean to say that you know
from the appearance of person how they
cross their feet ?" inquired.
UYes, that's it. You don't believe it.
We'll come with me. Wen take short
ride on street car, and I'll prove my as
sertion to be true"
A few moments later saw me aboard q
car, the sole occupant being n German
woman with basket.
"She don't count ?'' suggested, inquir-
ingly.
"Oh. yes. You can tell women just as
well as men. She will put the left foot
over the right" Almost before he had
finished, as If to prove the truth OF his
statement, the left broad shoe was slowly
put over the right.
ANALYZING A SUBJECT.
"There's o subject for u.s." he con-
tinued, as thin young man with an i'm
mense walking cane entered the door.
"I ook how neatly his coat fits; see how
his silk hat shines; observe his polished
boots, You will notice the height of his
collar and his spotless linen. All right
now. That man will pull his pantaloons
gently at the knee, and then with care
cross the right leg over the left"
It was getting rather interesting, and it
was with delight welcomed another pas
senger. He was fair and fat, but more
than forty. His ruddy, over hanging
checks rivaled his scanty locks in the
fashionable tint, ''town red" His weight
was something remarkable, judged from
the space he occupied, but, despite this
fact, he dropped but one fare in the box.
"a cherub, eh?" said the physiognomist.
tNow, that man is lazy. See how limp
his collar is, and how unclean his cuffs.
Even the age of slobbering is not past,
which is responsible for those marks on
his coat. Now, one glance is sufficient to
show that he will use great work to get
the left leg over the right. Sec him? It's
O difficult task, but he imagines that it is
as nicely crossed as any mans can be.
"You will find the majority of people
are not over neat about their appearance.
While they may be cleanly enough, they
haven't much pride in the fit of their
clothing; consequently, most people give
the preference to the left foot. 1t is even
noticeable by the hands. See our fat
man, see how snugly he crosses the right
hand with the left It's the most inter-
esting study one can have, the study of
human nature I practice at it contin-
ually. / have taught myself to read peo-
pies thoughts
THE STUDENT CONTINUES.
The car by this time was comfortably
filled Along the opposite side, with the
exception of the old man, the left leg was
crossing the right. One woman out of the
| four female passengers crossed right, and
if appearance counts for aught I could
| have told it would be so
Another thing l have studied" con-
tinued this student of human nature, "and
that is the movement of the eyelids. If ]
want to tell woman's temper l watch
| her eyelids You can read man in the
same way, but not so readily. A woman
with fiery temper will move her eyelids
with snap, and that snap betrays her.
Another who is easy going and hard to
arouse moves her eyelids languidly, One
with quick brain and temper furious
when aroused justly winks steadily, but
neither quickly nor slowly until engaged
| in interesting conversation Even bright
thoughts will cause her eyelids to move
with rapidity and show the state of the
brain as well as her temper.
"Why do study these human points:
you ask. In the first place, because 1t is
interesting to me, and next, because it is
useful for man in public life to have an
insight into human nature. When we have
learned just such little things as these we
can more quickly tell the men or women
we come in contact with, which is always
an advantage, Clothing, hats, seal sacques,
even place where button should be,
partakes of the character of the wearer
and tells student as plain as print with
whom he has to deal. New York Jour-
nal